CN110476192A - Use the voice activation of laser monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a voice activation system for a vehicle. A voice activation system for a vehicle has at least one sound panel capable of providing vibrations of a user's voice from outside the vehicle to an interior area of the vehicle. A laser listening device is operatively connected to the panel to receive vibrations from a user's voice. A controller receives pre-identified commands from a user of the laser listener and operates actions in the vehicle in response to the pre-identified commands.

Description

Voice activation using laser listeners

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/459,914, filed February 16, 2017. The disclosures of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.

technical field

The present invention relates to a voice activated system for a vehicle that accurately detects operator commands from outside the vehicle.

Background technique

Voice command devices are finding more uses in today's society, such as: for calling and controlling phones; searching on the internet through network connected devices; and more. Vehicles have utilized this technology for inputting data into and controlling the data in navigation systems and "smart" radio systems commonly found in passenger vehicles today.

These voice command devices are often located within the controlled interior of the vehicle, where the microphones and electronics required to effectively operate the voice controlled device are in a known sound and weather protected environment. Because the area outside the vehicle is unpredictable in both weather and sound, it is not easy to implement voice control from outside the vehicle, even to control activities such as opening the doors, starting the vehicle, turning on and off operations, and safety lights; therefore emergency Alarms or other commands that may require control from outside the vehicle are desired. Additionally, microphones installed on the exterior of vehicles for voice activation are susceptible to water, dust, and dirt, which will affect the lifespan and performance of the microphone. This adds to the complexity of using voice commands from outside the vehicle.

Therefore, there remains a need in the art to address these issues and provide mechanisms for voice control that are reliable for voice control of vehicle functions from outside the vehicle.

Contents of the invention

According to the present invention, a voice activation system for a vehicle is provided. A voice activation system for a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having at least one sound panel capable of providing vibrations of a user's voice from outside the vehicle to an interior area of the vehicle. A laser listening device is operatively connected to the panel to receive vibrations from a user's voice. The controller is for receiving pre-identified commands from a user and operating actions in the vehicle in response to the pre-identified commands.

Other areas of application of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic top view of a vehicle with a laser listening device positioned relative to a window panel of the vehicle.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the different signals received by the controller.

3 is a side view of the rear of a vehicle with a laser listening device located on the exterior of the vehicle.

4 depicts an interior perspective view of an interior passenger compartment of a vehicle with a laser listening device mounted on the headliner.

5 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a voice activation system.

Detailed ways

The following description of preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application or uses.

According to the present invention, a voice activation system 10 for a vehicle 12 is provided. The voice activation system 10 has at least one sound panel, depicted as a driver's side window 14 , a passenger's side window 14 ′, a front windshield 14 ″, and a rear window 14 ″. It is within the scope of the present invention for at least one sound panel to be any window of the passenger compartment 13 . It is also within the scope of the invention for at least one acoustic panel to be an exterior vehicle body panel such as a door panel, liftgate, trunk or any other exterior panel. The at least one sound panel is capable of reverberating vibrations of user speech from the exterior of the vehicle 12 into the interior area of the vehicle 12 .

In FIG. 1 there are laser listening devices 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″, 16 ″ respectively associated with one of the driver side window 14 , passenger side window 14 ′, front windshield 14 ″ and rear window 14 ″. Each laser listening device 16, 16', 16", 16"' is mounted inside the passenger compartment 13 such that the laser listening device 16, 16', 16", 16"' and the respective at least one sound panel In a location with clear line of sight. Examples of mounting locations include, but are not limited to, headliners, head restraints, mirror housings, door panels, instrument panels, and the like.

The laser listening device 16, 16', 16", 16"' uses a laser beam 18, 18', 18", 18"' projected from a laser source to detect vibrations from a user's voice echoed by at least one sound panel. The laser listening device 16, 16', 16", 16"' comprises a light sensor 20, 20', 20", 20"' receiving a reflected beam 22, 22', 22", 22"' leaving at least one sound panel, The reflected beams 22, 22', 22", 22"' are received by light sensors 20, 20', 20", 20"'. The angle at which the at least one sound panel is reflected is ideally 90 degrees or perpendicular to the at least one sound panel, however, other angles such as 45 degrees, 70 degrees, 25 degrees or any other suitable angle may be used depending on specific design requirements. The laser listening devices 16, 16', 16", 16"' then generate laser listening signals 23, 23', 23", 23"' to the controller 24, the laser listening signals 23, 23', 23", 23"' Vibrations detected by the laser listening devices 16, 16', 16", 16"' are indicated. The laser listening signal 23, 23', 23", 23"' may be based on the comparison of the laser beam 18, 18', 18", 18"' with the reflected beam 22, 22 ′, 22 ″, 22 ″′, said comparators 26, 26 ′, 26 ″, 26 ″′ are part of the hardware of the laser listening devices 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″, 16 ″′. Alternatively, the laser listening signal 23, 23', 23", 23"' comprises two data sets, one data set is the value for the laser beam 18, 18', 18", 18"' and the second The data sets are the values for the reflected beams 22 , 22 ′, 22 ″, 22 ″’, which are then received by the controller 24 and interpreted by the controller 24 .

Figure 1 depicts one laser listening device 16, 16', 16", 16"' associated with a single sound panel. However, it is within the scope of the invention for one laser listening device to be associated with multiple sound panels using multiple laser beams and light sensors, provided that a single laser listening device is located at a location that provides sufficient line of sight to the multiple sound panels.

The controller 24 listens to the signals 23, 23', 23", 23"' using the laser to determine the presence of a pre-identified command from the user, and then operates the actuator 30 in the vehicle 12 in response to the pre-identified command. Types of actuators 30 may include, but are not limited to, door unlocking, door opening, window opening, vehicle ignition, vehicle lights, opening the rear liftgate or trunk, and emergency functions such as honking the horn and flashing lights. The type of command may be preset or learned by the controller 24 using setup software programmed into the controller 24, and will include commands such as "Start", "Open Liftgate", "Unlock", "Lock", "Light On" , "Turn off", "Help", "Open window", "Close window" or any other spoken command in any type of spoken language. To provide additional security, the voice-activated system 10 is optionally programmed to detect a key fob or other identification device 28 such as a smart phone only within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 12 , depicted in FIG. 1 as a perimeter circle 27 around the vehicle 12 . Operate on mobile. This will ensure that the voice command being detected is that of the car owner.

In FIG. 1, a controller 24 is depicted as receiving laser listening signals 23, 23', 23", 23"' from a plurality of laser listening devices 16, 16', 16", 16"'. The controller 24 has voice activated software programmed on the controller 24 that is preprogrammed with different commands or learns different commands. The voice activation software may also perform an analysis of each laser listening signal 23, 23', 23", 23"' to determine vibrational changes at each of the sound panels, thereby filtering out those that may be interpreted as erroneous command signals. ambient noise. FIG. 2 depicts a graph of each laser snoop signal 23 , 23 ′, 23 ″, 23 ″′ received by the controller 24 plotted in decibels over time. As shown, the laser snoop signal 23 has several peaks higher than the lines for the laser snoop signals 23', 23", 23"'. Line 32 is drawn horizontally across the graph to illustrate that the decibel reading below line 32 is an ambient noise reading, which the voice activated software program will filter out and ignore as ambient noise, while focusing on the peak of the laser listen signal 23 to determine if it is giving a true The command. FIG. 2 contains only one example of filtering operations performed by controller 24 using voice-activated software programmed on controller 24 . It is possible that the controller may perform other filtering operations where more complex overlapping signal values exist. It is also within the scope of the invention for the controller to communicate with and utilize pre-existing on-board voice recognition software resident on other hardware in the vehicle, such as a vehicle electronic control unit, entertainment unit, or other control unit. within range.

In another aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 1 , the voice activation system 10 includes a microphone 34 mounted on the exterior of the vehicle 12 . The microphone 34 is mounted to the side view mirror as shown and “listens” for sounds outside the vehicle 12 . For mounting the microphone 34 to other locations on the exterior surface of the vehicle 12 or at locations on the interior surface of the vehicle 12, for example, the microphone 34 may be mounted to a bumper, a spoiler, or in an actual body panel of the vehicle 12 also present. within the scope of the invention. A microphone 34 provides a microphone signal 36 to the controller 14, which is interpreted with other data to filter out ambient noise, thereby increasing the accuracy of the voice activation system. Furthermore, the microphones are used in conjunction with laser listening devices 16, 16', 16", 16"' at other locations in the vehicle, not just outside the vehicle. For example, in FIG. 3, the microphone 34' is mounted on the inner surface of the movable liftgate 36 because when the liftgate 36 swings open, the laser listening device 16"' may not work because of the rear window 14"' has been swung out of sight of the laser beam 18"'. In this case the microphone 34' will be able to "listen" for commands from the user, for example a command to close the liftgate 36 can now be detected.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a laser listening device 38 mounted to an exterior surface of the vehicle 12 . In this embodiment, the laser listening device 38 is mounted to a rear spoiler 40 that overhangs the rear window 14"'. The laser listening device is positioned overhanging at least one sound panel on other exterior surfaces of the vehicle 12. Other locations on or extending past at least one sound panel are within the scope of the invention. Additional possible locations include, but are not limited to, spoilers, central high mounted stop light housings, backup camera housings, door handles, side mirrors and an exterior door panel.

4 depicts a perspective view of a laser listening device 16"' mounted to the headliner 38 on the interior passenger compartment 13 of the vehicle 12. The laser listening device 16"' projects a laser beam 18"' onto the side of the vehicle liftgate 36. Rear window 14"' on. The laser beam 18"' is reflected, creating a reflected beam 22"' that is detected by the light sensor 20"'. Also shown is an alternative placement of the laser listening device 40 in a headrest 42 that projects the laser beam at on the rear window 14"' and receive the reflected beam. This placement can be used in applications where different angles of reflection of the reflected beam are desired.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a voice activation system 100 . This particular embodiment has an optional closed system where there is optionally a housing 102 to which a sound panel 104 is connected in such a way that the sound panel 104 can reverberate vibrations from the external environment. To assist in vibrating the sound panel 104 there is a spring or rubber gasket 106 between the sound panel 104 and the flange of the housing 102 . The sound panel 104 may be made of any suitable material that allows sound to reverberate through the sound panel 104, and may include glass, plastic, metal, or any other material. At the end of the housing 102 opposite the sound panel 104 there is a laser listening device 116 having a laser beam source 117 which projects a laser beam 118 towards the surface of the sound panel 104 in a manner similar to the above-described embodiments. Laser beam 118 strikes the surface of acoustic panel 104 and reflects off the surface of acoustic panel 104 creating reflected beam 122 . Reflected beam 122 is detected by light sensor 120 that is part of the laser listening device. Signals from light sensor 120 and laser beam source 117 are optionally sent to comparator 126 , which then generates laser snoop signal 123 , which is communicated to controller 124 . The laser snoop signal 123 is based on a comparison of the laser beam 118 with the detected reflected beam 122 .

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in conjunction with particular examples of the invention, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will appear to the practitioner skilled in the art, upon a study of the drawings, specification and appended claims. words will become apparent.

Claims (21)

1. a kind of voice-activation system for vehicle, the voice-activation system include:

Vehicle, the vehicle include can echo to the vibration of the user speech of the outside from the vehicle at least one A acoustic panels；

Install to the laser audiomonitor of the vehicle, the laser audiomonitor: generation is projected at least one described sound Laser beam on panel, the laser audiomonitor is detected using the laser beam is used by oneself by what at least one panel echoed The vibration of family voice；And generate the laser monitoring signal for the vibration that instruction is detected by the laser audiomonitor；With And

Controller, the controller are used to receive the laser monitoring signal and determine the order of the user identified in advance Presence, and carry out the operational motion in the vehicle in response to the order identified in advance.

2. the voice-activation system according to claim 1 for vehicle, wherein the controller is to be connected to the vehicle Computer equipment, and the voice activation software including being programmed on the controller.

3. the voice-activation system according to claim 2 for vehicle, wherein the controller further includes operatively connecting It is connected to the control hardware of the vehicle, the control hardware in the vehicle for controlling at least one movement.

4. the voice-activation system according to claim 3 for vehicle, wherein at least one described movement is selected from packet Include Men Xiesuo, door opening, window opening, vehicle igniting, Vehicle lamp, the group for opening rear portion overhead door or luggage case and emergency In one.

5. voice-activation system according to claim 1, wherein the laser audiomonitor further includes optical sensor, institute State optical sensor for by detect leave the reflection of the laser beam of at least one acoustic panels detect it is described extremely The movement of few acoustic panels.

6. voice-activation system according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is reflected described with about 90 degree of angle At least one acoustic panels.

7. voice-activation system according to claim 1, wherein the laser audiomonitor is mounted on Vehicular occupant room In inside roof lining, and at least one described acoustic panels are the window of the Vehicular occupant room.

8. voice-activation system according to claim 1, wherein the laser audiomonitor is mounted on the outer of the vehicle On portion surface, and at least one described acoustic panels are the window of the vehicle.

9. voice-activation system according to claim 8, wherein the laser audiomonitor is installed to spoiler, center One in high level brake lamp housing, spare photographic device shell and side-view mirror shell.

10. voice-activation system according to claim 1 further includes installing to the microphone of the outside of the vehicle, institute Microphone is stated to be configured to detect the sound of the outside from the vehicle and generate to the monitoring signal of the controller, In, the controller receives both microphone monitoring signal and the laser monitoring signal, and executes and compare to filter out and come from The ambient noise of the outside vehicle.

11. a kind of voice-activation system for vehicle, the voice-activation system include:

Vehicle, the vehicle include multiple window panels, each window panel have the outside for being exposed to the vehicle outer surface and It is exposed to the inner surface of the inside of the passenger accommodation of the vehicle；

Multiple laser audiomonitors positioned at the inside of the passenger accommodation, wherein each in the multiple laser audiomonitor A corresponding one interior surface relative in the multiple window panel can be operationally positioned to so that the multiple laser Each of audiomonitor can by laser beam projects corresponding one into the multiple window panel inner surface, It is echoed to the inner surface so that the multiple laser audiomonitor is detected using the laser beam from user speech Vibration, wherein a corresponding generation in the multiple laser audiomonitor is indicated by the multiple laser audiomonitor Corresponding one vibration detected laser monitoring signal；And

Controller, the controller are used to receive the laser from each of the multiple laser audiomonitor and monitor The presence for the order of signal and the determining user identified in advance, and come in response to the order identified in advance in institute State operational motion in vehicle.

12. the voice-activation system according to claim 11 for vehicle, wherein the controller supervises each laser It listens signal to be compared to determine that the vibration at each of the multiple window panel place changes, and filters and come from the vehicle Outside ambient noise.

13. the voice-activation system according to claim 11 for vehicle, wherein the controller is described to be connected to The computer equipment of vehicle, and the voice activation software including being programmed on the controller.

14. the voice-activation system according to claim 13 for vehicle, wherein the controller further includes operatively It is connected to the control hardware of the vehicle, the control hardware in the vehicle for controlling at least one movement.

15. the voice-activation system according to claim 14 for vehicle, wherein it is described at least one movement for selected from Including door unlock, door opening, window opening, vehicle igniting, Vehicle lamp, open rear portion overhead door or luggage case and emergency One in group.

16. voice-activation system according to claim 11, wherein the laser audiomonitor further includes optical sensor, It is described to detect that the optical sensor is used for the reflection by detecting the laser beam for leaving at least one acoustic panels Corresponding one movement in multiple window panels.

17. voice-activation system according to claim 11, wherein the laser beam reflects institute with about 90 degree of angle State corresponding one in multiple window panels.

18. voice-activation system according to claim 11, wherein each of the multiple laser audiomonitor peace On the inside roof lining of the inside of the Vehicular occupant room.

19. voice-activation system according to claim 11, wherein each of the multiple laser audiomonitor peace On the outer surface of the vehicle.

20. voice-activation system according to claim 19, wherein each of the multiple laser audiomonitor peace One be filled in spoiler, center high-mounted stop lamp shell, spare photographic device shell and side-view mirror shell.

21. voice-activation system according to claim 11 further includes installing to the microphone of the outside of the vehicle, institute Microphone is stated to be configured to detect the sound of the outside from the vehicle and generate to the monitoring signal of the controller, In, the controller receives microphone monitoring signal and the laser from each of the multiple laser audiomonitor Both monitoring signals, and execute and compare to filter out the ambient noise of the outside from the vehicle.